The Largest Inland Delta in the World The Largest Inland Delta in the World GO Sep 14, 2007 18:07 GMT · By Stefan Anitei · Share: This is a geographic accident located in the desert sands of the Kalahari (Botswana) like the mouth of a large river: a lot of streams and small lakes forming a wet labyrinth where you can see herds of buffaloes and elephants and lions stalking their prey. But the peculiarity of the Okavango is the way it dies. The river springs from the central Angola and after running 1,400 km (880 mi), it literally evaporates in the Kalahari desert, its mouth turning into the world's largest inner delta (15,000 square km, about five times larger than Danube Delta, for instance) and an exceptional place for seeing the most representative species of the African fauna. To the south, Okavango Delta fuels Lake Ngami. During the rainy season, the volume of flow of its numerous arms and thousands of channels in which the river is divided while approaching its final increases significantly, receiving 11 cubic kilometers of water annually.

The arrival of the water in a country representing the paradigm of the dryness is an event, that's why 'pula', Botswana's national currency means "water". 10,000 years ago, Okavango still flowed into the area of Makgadkgadi Pan, southern Botswana. The pan is an ancient lake turned today into vast plains of drought and gray land which only harbor water rarely, in years with extremely abundant rainfall. Together with the omnipresent desert, the pans have been gaining terrain and they have pushed most of the population towards the cities. Botswana has a surface almost as much as Texas and a little more than 1.5 million people, and it is surprisingly one of the countries with the greatest percentage of urban population in the world. Only the Bushmen still dare to defy the climate severity of the Kalahari. That's why, even if the territory occupied by the Okavango delta is relatively small, it harbors 90 % of Botswana's waters, a national treasure. Like a store depositing reserves for the times of scarcity, the delta presents its highest water levels during the dry season, between May and July, and empties gradually reaching the rainy season with the minimum lows.

That's why when there's no water, the animals start a migration to the wetlands of the river. Your attention may be attracted by zebras or giraffes, but animals adapted to the Okavango delta are the Red Lechwe and Reedbucks, beautiful aquatic antelopes that cross the waters at a great speed. This is also one of the few places in Africa where the African Wild Dog can still be seen. The Okavango's lions are famous as the only ones in the world that do not avoid water and are adapted for hunting in the swamps. Numerous birds feed on the fish of the swamps, like spoonbillls, herons, ibises, and prey birds. Traditionally, both locals and tourists use mokoro, a narrow canoe pushed with a perch, allowing a silent movement. Even if it may look dangerous to travel in mokoro amongst elephants, hippopotamuses and crocodiles, incidents are extremely rare. The delta's vegetation is impressive. In many occasions, the water is covered by waterlilies, while the banks are covered by papyrus and palm trees. In the savanna around the delta, the dominant tree is the mopane, which in some places forms real forests.

The oasis can be reached by air or water, and Maun City is its operational center. Chief's Island, in the Moremi reserve, is one of the richest areas in fauna. The difficult access, and the high prices for entry and staying in the natural reserves have turned Botswana and Okavango in one of the most expensive destinations in Africa. In change, you can enjoy one of the least altered areas in the continent. CHECK OUT THE GALLERY (3 Images) Okavango Delta in Botswana, the World's Largest Inland Delta - Akademi Fantasia Travel Okavango Delta in Botswana, the World’s Largest Inland Delta gt1987 | July 31, 2011 If you are planning a safari in Africa , the Okavango Delta could be the perfect place for you. It is also known as Okavango Swamp and it is located in Botswana. It owns the title of the world’s largest inland delta. Credits: Flickr Okavango Delta forms from the water of Okavango River which creates a huge swampy area in Kalahari desert.

A few of millions of years ago the Okavango River was flowing into the Lake Makgadikgadi but, due to tectonic activity, the flow has been interrupted and this caused emergence of the Okavango Delta. Credits: Flickr The main source of the water for the delta are seasonal Angolan rains which are lasting from October to April. When the flods are most intensive, Okavango Delta covers more than 16,000 square kilometers but, during the dry period of the year, its surface is less than 9,000 square kilometers. A number of canoes are waiting to carry tourists to explore the Delta, Credits: Flickr Unlike the other rivers which are flowing into the sea or some bigger river or lake, the Okavango River meets its dead end here creating a huge swamp. The river provides about 11 kubic kilometres of water, every year, and most of that watter is spended into evaporation and in feeding the vegetation system. A small percentage of the water is flowing into Lake Ngami.

A couple of apparently happy tourists is exploring the Delta with their guide, Credits: Flickr The Okavango Delta abounds in various kinds of vegetation and animals and some of them are considered as endemic. This is the place where you could easily spot an african bush elephant, african buffalo, hipopotamus, lechwe, giraffe, Nile crocodile, lions, leopards, hyenas, antelopes, zebras etc. All this made the delta very popular tourist attraction. The most often way of visiting this place is by using traditional mokoro canoes which are best for exploring numerous waterways. There is also a number of offers where you get the opportunity to explore the area riding on the back of an elephant. Exploring the Delta on the backs of an elephant, Credits: Flickr There are about 40 lodges and camps which are hosting visitors but the prices are not as low as expected because of the initiative of the Botswana Gowernment which tries to keep this place from mass-tourism in order to protect the wildlife and the eco-system.

World's (2nd) Largest Inland Delta - Review of Okavango Delta, Maun, Botswana - TripAdvisor Review of Okavango Delta “World's (2nd) Largest Inland Delta” Reviewed November 6, 2013 Background: Okavango Delta, otherwise known as the "Okavango Swamp," is formed when water from the Angolan highlands flows onto the Okavango river, reaches a tectonic trough in the central Kalahari Desert, where it empties and evaporates without ever reaching the ocean. Thus, it is referred to as an inland delta. The Moremi Game Reserve NP is at the SE end of this delta. Our overland tour group visited this UNESCO Heritage Site via the south gate, took a motorized boat and encamped for two nights on Chief Island. PROS: The delta's diverse wildlife and lush vegetation is not due to its tropical clime but to the annual seasonal flooding that comes between December to March in the form of torrential heavy afternoon thunderstorms. It is essentially an oasis in the middle of the Kalahari desert.

Its various animals include the African Bush Elephant, African Buffalo, Hippopotamus, Lechwe, Tsessebe, Sitatunga, Blue Wildebeest, Giraffe, Nile crocodile, Lion, Cheetah, Leopard, Brown Hyena, Spotted Hyena, Springbok, Greater Kudu, Sable Antelope, Black Rhinoceros, White Rhinoceros, Plains Zebra, Warthog and Chacma Baboon. Notably, the endangered African Wild Dog also survives here. The delta also includes over 400 species of birds, including African Fish Eagle, Pel's Fishing Owl, Crested Crane, Lilac-breasted Roller, Hammerkop, Ostrich, and Sacred Ibis. The delta is also unique in that it forms a freshwater body of water. Hence, freshwater fish such as Tilapia, catfish and Tigerfish thrive here. Local vegetation is dominated by the reed-like papyrus as well as some kind of palm tree. Many private lodges have set up camp all over the delta. CONS: Unfortunately, there is very little land access throughout the delta.

Most of the lodges or campsites can only be accessible by small plane or by "mokoro" (small dugout canoe). Also, it is difficult to appreciate the vast scale and beauty of the swamp at ground level. It is good that a few local companies (Kavango Air, Blue Air based in Maun Airport) offer flights over the delta. Lastly, reportedly, Bilharzia is a snail-borne parasitical disease which is usually spread by swimming in contaminated swamp water. Note that it can also occur at lakeside showers if the bath water is unfiltered. These parasites can bore through human skin, migrate to the liver where they feed on blood and multiply. Verdict: Although, technically, it is not exactly the largest inland delta (That distinction belongs to the Sudd in the Nile in Southern Sudan.), the Okavango Delta holds its own as a natural wonder, good enough to be named one of the New Seven Natural Wonders of the World in February 2013. Nothing beats the exhilarating experience of quietly gliding through the papyrus reeds on a mokoro to encounter wildlife up close and personal. It is certainly worth a visit for this reason -- if nothing else. Grade A-minus. .

“I Enjoyed my Second Trip to the Delta as much as my First” Reviewed October 21, 2013 I went in September and the Okavango Delta wasn't as green from the air. Nonetheless, I still enjoyed flying into the Delta. I did see wildlife from the air. Despite my exhaustion, I did go on a mokoro trip and a boat trio in the Delta both of which I highly recommend for first time visitors to the Delta. I saw plenty of leopards, kudu, red red lechwe, hyenas,hippos, baboons, as well as some elephants. The brdlife was superb, I'll visit the Okavango Delta again. Visited August 2013 “A most amazing experience” Reviewed October 10, 2013 This place is teeming with wildlife and you are staying right smack bang in the middle of it. Every where we went we experienced something new and different. The dead hippo killed by his own father in a battle for the herd, a lions footprints in the sand after we returned from a walk to our canoes, that weren't there when we arrived!

Lying in our beds of a night as hippos grazed under our tent bungalow and elephants pulled branches off the trees right outside our window. The noise was deafening! Beautiful bird and plants of all descriptions. Just talking about it makes me want to jump on the first plane back there. And speaking of planes! The amazing experience of just getting there in the tiny little planes with the Bush Pilots of Botswana! Amazing!

Visited November 2012 “5 American Indians” Reviewed September 28, 2013 I traveled with 5 Indian Americans who did not pay us P10'000.00 for transfers from Livingstone to Chobe and chobe Victoria Falls Zimbabwe, then wrote a review saying I am a bad person ever, well my car got a problem in before Moremi/Khwai of a loss wire on a starter, but I fixed it and asked them if we can go to Third Bridge for their mokoro trip, they said its okay, we can just do game drives at North Gate area, next day on a game drive, that is when they were saying, we have to go to Third Bridge which can not work that way, afterwards they claim to write a poor review which is not (TRUE), Thank you Moabi M. for Visited May 2013 Map of Okavango Delta Site Map Okavango DeltaMap The Okavango Delta is a unique ecosystem of papyrus-lined waterways, knee-deep floodplains, water-lily lagoons, shady forest glades and rich savannah grasslands. Loading map...

Okavango Delta An Okavango Delta safari is an experience of a lifetime. It must be ranked in the top 5 safari destinations in Africa, if not in the top 2 (along with the Serengeti). The scenery, wildlife, untouched wilderness and variety of safari experiences, make the Okavango unique. The Okavango Delta is a fragile ecosystem and it remains one of Africa's most unspoilt and authentic wilderness areas. It consists of a labyrinth of lagoons, lakes and hidden channels covering an area of over 17,000 square km and the largest inland delta in the world. It is surrounded by the parched Kalahari sands so is a magnet for the wildlife that depends on the permanent waters of the delta. NEW - Safari Routes in the Okavango Delta Find a safari route that incorporates the Okavango Delta. Here are a few sample safari route maps: ...more Okavango Safari Routes . More about the Okavango Delta The Okavango river is southern Africa's third largest watercourse (after the Zambezi and the Orange). It originates in the uplands of Angola and flows across the Namibia's Caprivi strip into Botswana.

It is here that it spreads out over the Kalahari sandveld in an immense, fan-shaped inland delta. This delta, it is in fact an alluvial fan of sediment and debris, which filled a trough formed by the sinking of the earth's crust, between a series of parallel faults across the Okavango River. The fan-shape of the delta resembles the shape of a hand. The palm is a permanent delta of constant water, and the fingertips are seasonally flooded swamps and lush floodplains. The water of the Okavango literally floats on a saturated sea of sand. Outside of this area there are sandy ridge-like areas covered by scrub mopane and patches of acacia and numerous pans. Here there are wide, mysterious waterways, tranquil lagoons and palm-graced islands, narrow labyrinthine channels choked by reed and papyrus and by dense mantles of water lilies that bloom gloriously in their season. Fringed with stands of palms and thick forest, this vast and pristine wilderness is yours to explore. With 12,000sq kms of waterways, it is truly one of the natural wonders of the world. The Delta has three fairly distinct regions.

In the north-west, around and along the Panhandle - the 'stem' of the fan - are the Okavango's permanent waters, the deep and languidly moving streams, the ox-bow lakes and wooded islands of a pristine wilderness that remains much the same throughout the year. Then there's the lower Delta, whose channels are filled for much of but not all the time, its tree-girded floodplains often covered by grassland that attracts and sustains a great number of buffalo and other herbivores. Finally you have the Delta's outer fringes, sandy ridge-like areas covered by scrub mopane and patches of acacia and blessed by numerous pans. Here, too, the wildlife congregates, especially at the end of the seasonal rains. Unique as one of the world's few inland deltas, the water wilderness of the Okavango Delta offers a safe haven for innumerable bird and wildlife species. The elusive sitatunga antelope has found refuge in this pristine wetland ecosystem, while birds such as the African fish eagle, Pel's fishing owl and many others thrive on its rich and diverse habitat, making it rank as one of Africa's most sought after safari destinations.

Within the Okavango Delta lies the Moremi Game Reserve. It is state-run reserve surrounded by a number of strictly controlled, privately managed wildlife concessions. The game viewing in all of these safari areas is no less than outstanding and activities can either be undertaken on foot, in a game-viewing vehicle or in a mokoro (dug-out canoe) or motorised boat. Such varied opportunities in a beautiful and diverse range of habitats, makes the Okavango one the best all-encompassing safari destination in the world. Moremi Game Reserve Moremi falls within the tribal land of the Batswana and is named after the late Chief Moremi III. It was clear to his wife, who reigned after his death, that the game in their traditional hunting grounds was fast disappearing. With encouragement from conservationists, she proclaimed the Moremi Game Reserve in March 1963 and the tribe agreed to vacate the land. It lies on the northeast side of the Okavango Delta. Chief's Island is the largest landmass within Moremi and was the Batswana tribe's richest hunting grounds with a vast array of animals.

The dry sandy interior of this 100,000 hectare (1,000 square kilometer) island is full of mopane woodland and acacia thornscrub interspersed with clay pans. These moremi flood plains fill with rain and attract large herds of buffalo, as well as lechwe, zebra, waterbuck, loin, cheetah, wilddog and hyena. As the mopane bush gives way to floodplains and riverine forests, other animals become abundantly visible and the whole spectrum of Africa's game can be seen. The mosaic of grasslands, floodplains, palm-tree islets, forests, lily lagoons and winding water channels combine to form a perfectly constructed puzzle, in which animals wander as they please. The use of boats for game-viewing and fishing is permitted. Access to the reserve is from Maun. Roads are not good and it is advisable to use 4x4 vehicle. The South Gate is at Maqwe, just over 100 km north of Maun; the North Gate is on the Khwai River about 170 km from Maun. At times the reserve closes during the rains.

Private Safari Reserves of the Okavango Chitabe in the south of the delta has classic Okavango scenery of rivers, waterways and marshlands with season flood plains contrasting with dry acacia woodland and open grasslands. Safari activities are more land than water based and provide exceptional opportunities for photography. Wild Dog sightings are the special treat of this area. The Duba Plains in the furthermost reaches of the delta are famous for high concentration of lions. They are sleek fit and well fed from the huge herds of buffalo that graze these seasonal flood plains. Floodwaters provide the opportunity for mokoro (dugout canoe) trips from May to September, which is the most romantic way to experience a safari. The Jao Reserve in the western delta is a water wonderland where you float through a fairytale of water lily lagoons. It is here that you will find the rarely seen sitatunga - an aquatic antelope that may submerge under water if disturbed. There is a variety of terrain and almost all the big game is here plus a bewildering selection of birds.

Featured Okavango Delta safari lodge maps Baines Camp map : Baines Camp overlooks the Boro River, a permanent water source in the Delta. Camp Moremi map : Camp Moremi is overlooks the Xakanaxa Lagoon in the heart of the Delta. Camp Okavango map : Situated on the remote Nxaragha Island, which has permanent water. Chitabe Trails Camp map : Ideal for small parties who are looking for their own private camp, as well as those individuals who prefer a more intimate experience Duba Plains Tented Camp map : Duba Plains is one of the Okavango Delta's most remote camps Eagle Island Camp map : Eagle Island is situated in a remote part of the Delta.

Jacana Camp map : Jacana Camp is situated outside the Moremi Game reserve on the Jao flats Jao Camp map : Built in a private reserve bordering on the Moremi Game Reserve, on a densely wooded, oval~shaped island Kanana Camp map : Kanana Camp is in the heart of the Okavango Delta set amongst the spectacular delta islands Botswana Facts | Safari Highlights, Wildlife, & Reviews Start Planning Your Custom Safari view larger image Botswana’s vast wilderness offers some of the most prolific and diverse wildlife viewing in Africa. The Okavango River feeds the largest inland delta on the planet, bringing life to the arid sands of the Kalahari Desert. And with water comes a plethora of game: impala, sable and kudu, zebra, giraffe and huge herds of elephant, with lion and leopard in close pursuit. Botswana’s long-standing commitment to conservation and carefully managed tourism ensures an African wildlife experience with few parallels. On safari in remote, untamed Botswana, the only crowds you’ll encounter are those that have been here for centuries – the animals.

Read About the Different Regions and Parks in Botswana Our Expert Says Botswana is exceedingly wild and remote, with some of the most prolific wildlife in Africa. Botswana's elephant populations are among the largest in the world, and the opportunity for close-up safari encounters with them, as well as predators like leopard, cheetah and lion, makes for extremely exciting game viewing. Birding is fantastic everywhere, particularly in the Okavango Delta. Intimate safari camps located on private concessions offer a wide range of activities, from day and night game drives to mokoro rides and boat safaris, allowing travelers to experience the wildlife and stunning natural beauty of Botswana away from large tourist crowds. – Kelly Dellinger view image gallery Botswana Safari Highlights Botswana’s extensive game reserves are second to none for sheer numbers and variety of wildlife. Through our network of the country’s most distinctive camps, guests have access to private and exceptionally remote wildlife-viewing opportunities. Moremi Game Reserve, on the edge of the Okavango Delta, is an exhilarating tract of woodlands and wetlands favored by enormous bull elephants, herds of buffalo and prides of lion.

Travel by poled mokoro within the delta’s maze of channels to see hippo, crocodile, water-adapted antelope like red lechwe and the rare sitatunga, and hundreds of birds. In the Savute and Linyanti marshlands, day and night game drives are offered from isolated camps located in private concessions. Chobe National Park is famed for elephants, hundreds of which congregate along the Chobe River. And in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, observe surprising numbers of animals sustained by the waterholes that dot the vast salt pans. view image gallery Botswana Wildlife Botswana’s extensive game reserves are second to none for sheer numbers and variety of wildlife. Through our network of the country’s most distinctive camps, guests have access to private and exceptionally remote wildlife-viewing opportunities. Moremi Game Reserve, on the edge of the Okavango Delta, is an exhilarating tract of woodlands and wetlands favored by enormous bull elephants, herds of buffalo and prides of lion. Travel by poled mokoro within the delta’s maze of channels to see hippo, crocodile, water-adapted antelope like red lechwe and the rare sitatunga, and hundreds of birds.

In the Savute and Linyanti marshlands, day and night game drives are offered from isolated camps located in private concessions. Chobe National Park is famed for elephants, hundreds of which congregate along the Chobe River. And in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, observe surprising numbers of animals sustained by the waterholes that dot the vast salt pans. view image gallery Quick Botswana Facts A stable and prosperous democracy, land-locked Botswana is located in the center of southern Africa, bordered by Namibia to the west, Angola and Zambia on the north, Zimbabwe to the east and South Africa on the south. At 224,652 square miles, Botswana is about the size of France or Texas. The Kalahari Desert comprises most of Botswana’s landmass, with 84 percent of the country covered by sand. The Okavango River fans into the world’s largest inland delta, bringing annual floods and permanent water into the desert. Botswana’s citizens are called “Batswana.” The national language is Setswana and the official language is English. A majority of Botswana’s 2 million people live in the east, primarily in the capital Gaborone.

Mining is Botswana’s largest industry and diamonds are its primary export, while tourism, in second place, accounts for nearly 11 percent of GDP. view image gallery Conservation in Botswana Botswana is one of Africa’s premier conservation success stories. Strong government dedication to preserving habitat and tight limits on visitor numbers are helping to ensure the vitality of the natural resources needed for thriving wildlife populations. A global leader in national commitment to protecting wild spaces, Botswana has set aside 17 percent of its land as National Parks and Reserves and another 22 percent as Wildlife Management Areas, providing crucial buffer zones between parks and inhabited communities. Botswana employs a land-use strategy devised to allow local communities to benefit from wildlife and sustainable eco-tourism. By focusing on high-quality, low-volume tourism, Botswana hopes to protect its natural treasures for posterity. Tourism currently employs nearly 45 percent of northern Botswana’s people. World Wildlife Fund also assists Botswana’s elephants and rhinos, working to slow habitat loss, strengthen curbs on illegal ivory trade and reduce conflict between human and animal populations. Wilderness Safaris images copyright Wilderness Safaris, all rights reserved.

Botswana Safari | Lion World Travel Lion World Travel Explore the Okavango Delta in a mokoro Encounter Botswana's Lion prides Witness great herds along the Chobe River Destination Botswana Botswana - Wilderness and Wildlife at its Best ‎ Botswana is the ideal destination for travelers looking for an extraordinary safari experience with diverse ecosystems, varied wildlife and remarkable landscapes. From the floodplains of the Okavango Delta to the deserts of the Kalahari and the woodlands and river of Chobe National Park, Botswana provides the perfect settings for incomparable safaris. Botswana’s gem is the Okavango Delta, the world’s largest inland delta. Explore the waterways in a traditional mokoro (canoe) looking out for tiny frogs, blooming water lilies, hippos, crocodiles and a myriad of birds. Or venture into unspoiled wilderness on foot or by open safari vehicles going in search of plains game and predators. North of the delta is Chobe National Park and the Chobe River, one of Africa’s most sought-after safari destinations, where the elephant population is amongst the highest density in Africa.

Cruises on the Chobe River produce amazing photo opportunities of elephants playing and drinking at the water’s edge, crocodiles sunning themselves on the banks and hippo pods cooling in the water. The Kalahari is a magnificent desert that encompasses 85 percent of the country. It springs to life in the rainy season bringing with it the zebra migration followed by predators in search of their next meal. The nutrient rich remnant of the lake can be seen in the Makgadikgadi Pans. Some of the last remaining Bushmen are to be found here too, and they will spend a day teaching you their traditional survival and hunting skills. Other pristine wilderness areas of Linyanti and the Moremi Game reserves with their array of wildlife contribute to one of the most unspoiled safari areas on earth. Botswana Safaris & Safari Holidays | Safari Drive Requires good map reading in parts. Bad sign posting in parks Please note that the above is an indication of the general conditions Botswana A land of deserts, pans and deltas... This is a simply stunning country. Its deserts, pans and deltas are some of the last great, untouched wildernesses in Southern Africa and are home to a wonderful array of game.

It is a fabulous place for a self drive safari as there is so much to see. You could head off to see Botswana's excellent National Parks, drive into the incredible Central Kalahari Desert or go and explore the riches of the Okavango Delta. Botswana and Safari Drive We opened our base in Maun in 1993 and our Botswana operations have since gone from strength to strength. Our team on the ground will welcome you on arrival in Botswana and brief you on your 4WD and all aspects of your planned Safari Drive journey. They are there if there are any problems during your trip and have an excellent back-up network allowing you to go off and explore in the knowledge that help is at hand should you need it. Safari Drive was the first company to offer fully inclusive 4x4 self drive safaris in Botswana and our long term experience and familiarity with this country means that we can provide the most comprehensive, exciting and fulfilling safaris. Parts of Botswana are totally wild and its dangers must be respected. At Safari Drive we leave nothing to chance so you can have a great holiday minus the risks that the uninformed have experienced.

START PLANNING YOUR ADVENTURE Our expert team are on hand to answer any questions you have about driving safaris in Botswana. Simply fill in the form below and one of our team will be in contact. Video Watch a short film made by Richard and Geri Davies on their self drive journey through Botswana. Rich and Geri collected a vehicle in Livingstone in Zambia and drove it south through Botswana taking in Chobe National Park, Savuti and Moremi. They then had a couple of days camping at Nxai Pan before dropping the vehicle off in Maun and flying into the Okovango Delta. Highlights - What can I see in Botswana Here is a list of just some of our favourite places to visit in Botswana. They are all places that we would recommend for a self drive safari. This is not a comprehensive list and if there are other places you are keen to visit and would like further information please let us know and we'll be happy to help. The Okavango Delta The Okavango Delta is the worlds largest inland delta system. Either way you look at it, be it by car, boat or plane - it is simply incredible!

Chobe National Park Our favourite Botswana National Park, Chobe offers everything from ants to elephants! The game viewing is superb, all year round too. Central Kalahari Renowned for it's panoramic views and growing lion population, the Central Kalahari is a very desirable place to travel. It's also best travelled between December - May. The Makgadikgadi Situated over the lowest lying area's of Botswana, the Makgadikgadi is home to two magnificent salt pans. the view from here take your breath away. Moremi Game reserve Located on the periphery of the Okavango delta, the Moremi is home to a huge array of wildlife. A few nights here and you will feel like you were in the Delta itself. Savute Channel Having not flowed for over 30 years, the Savute Channel is now back in full flow all year round. The result, a plentiful amount of game is returning to this scenic area. Example Botswana itineraries 570 miles / From £2,823.00 per person / This timeless itinerary takes you through some of Botswana's most exciting regions.

You will drive through Nxai Pan's salt pans, Moremi's bird & game regions & visit Chobe National Park (home to over 65,000 elephant), and stay is a fantastic range of lodges and campsites along the way. Also, did we mention that the trip will start and finish on the bank of the Zambezi River, not far from the Victoria Falls! 400 miles / From £3,124.00 per person / This safari starts and finishes at the Victoria Falls, the Zambian side, and encompasses all of Botswana's main wildlife regions. See the vast remote desert of the Central Kalahari with its meerkats and orix. Moremi Game Reserve, stuffed with all manor or birds and beasts and the famous Chobe with it's hugely dense elephant population making up just a small part of this wildlife filled park.

600 miles / From £2,772.00 per person / Hwange is a fantastic National Park for both wildlife and scenery and after the past the past 15 years Zimbabwe has missed out on a lot of deserved tourism due to the political problems there, we are extremely pleased that it is now opening back up and people are regaining confidence in this great country. Combine it with the Pans in Botswana for a truly varied and exciting journey. Earth Snapshot • Kalahari Desert March 29th, 2013 Category: Climate Change , Rivers , Salt Flats Botswana – March 29th, 2013 The Okavango Delta (upper left quadrant) is a large inland delta in Botswana, produced by seasonal flooding where the Okavango River spills into a trough in the endorheic basin of the Kalahari Desert. Summer rainfall (in January and February) in Angola’s highlands drains southward through the Okavango River. This water then gradually spreads over the delta from March to August, peaking in the last three months, in which the delta swells to a large, swampy marsh of three times its permanent size.

This image was taken in late March, approximately one month in to the flooding period. The delta is important to Botswana for several reasons, including being a home to many plant and animal species, revenue generated through tourism, and use by local communities for water, fishing and agriculture. However, climate change is affecting the delta through declining precipitation and increasing temperatures, causing flood patterns and water channel distribution to shift. Reduced inflow could result in swamps drying out and forests being replaced by grasslands, causing local animal species to migrate or become extinct. Also visible here, near the right edge, is the bright white Makgadikgadi Pan, a large salt pan in the middle of the dry savanna of northeastern Botswana. One of the largest salt flats in the world, it is all that remains of the huge, ancient Lake Makgadikgadi. For much of the year, most of the area remains waterless and extremely arid; however, it floods during periods of good rain, attracting wildlife. As it is linked to Okavango Delta by the Boteti River, reduced inflow in the delta region can also affect the ecosystem of the pan.

February 12th, 2013 Category: Climate Change , Rivers , Wetlands Botswana – January 26th, 2013 The Okavango Delta (upper left quadrant), in Botswana, is a large inland delta, formed where the Okavango River reaches a tectonic trough in the central part of the endorheic basin of the Kalahari Desert. All the water reaching the Delta is ultimately evaporated and transpired, and does not flow into any sea or ocean. Each year approximately 11 cubic kilometres of water spread over the 6,000-15,000 km² area. Scientific studies have suggested that the river flow could decrease by over 26% by the turn of the next century, due to climate change, particularly changing precipitation patterns in Angola. Changing precipitation patterns will result in changing flood patterns, which would devastate an ecosystem built around predictable winter floods. Furthermore, an increased evaporation rate in the Kalahari will reduce total surface area that the flood can reach and accelerate its disappearance (click here to read more).

May 8th, 2012 Category: Image of the day , Lakes , Rivers , Salt Flats Botswana - April 28th, 2012 Many bodies of water, different in size and hydrology, can be observed in this image of Angola (upper left), Zambia (upper right), Botswana (lower left) and Zimbabwe (lower right). Visible by the right edge is the dark blue Lake Kariba, located on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. It is the world’s largest artificial reservoir by volume. Southwest of the lake is the Makgadikgadi Pan, in Botswana, the world’s largest salt flat complex. In the center of the image is the Caprivi Strip, a narrow protrusion of Namibia eastwards about 450 km (280 mi), between Botswana to the south, Angola and Zambia to the north, and Okavango Region to the west. Caprivi is bordered by the Okavango, Kwando, Chobe and Zambezi Rivers. To the west is the Okavango Delta, formed where the Okavango River empties onto the Kalahari Desert.

To the north is the Barotse Floodplain, which begins by the Zambezi River’s confluence with the Kabompo and Lungwebungu Rivers in the north. The region is a flat plateau at an elevation of about 1000 m tilting very slightly to the south. April 20th, 2012 Category: Fires , Rivers , Salt Flats Botswana and South Africa - April 15th, 2012 Smoke can be seen near the border between South Africa and Botswana in the lower right quadrant of this image of central southern Africa. The white area visible north of the cloud of smoke is the Makgadikgadi Pan, a large salt pan in northern Botswana, and the largest salt flat complex in the world. These salt pans cover approximately 16,000 km2 and form the bed of the ancient Lake Makgadikgadi that began evaporating millennia ago. Also visible northwest of the pan is the Okavango Delta (or Okavango Swamp), in Botswana, is the world’s largest inland delta.

It is formed where the Okavango River empties onto a swamp in an endorheic basin in the Kalahari Desert, where most of the water is lost to evaporation and transpiration instead of draining into the sea. January 22nd, 2012 Category: Image of the day , Lakes , Rivers , Wetlands Botswana - January 6th, 2012 The Okavango Delta (or Okavango Swamp), in Botswana, is the world’s largest inland delta. It is formed where the Okavango River empties onto a swamp in an endorheic basin in the Kalahari Desert, where most of the water is lost to evaporation and transpiration instead of draining into the sea. Each year approximately 11 cubic kilometres of water irrigate the 15,000 km² area. The Okavango Delta is produced by seasonal flooding. The Okavango river drains the summer (January–February) rainfall from the Angola highlands and the surge flows 1,200 kilometres in approximately one month.

The waters then spread over the 250 km by 150 km area of the delta over the next four months (March–June). The flood peaks between June and August, during Botswana’s dry winter months, when the delta swells to three times its permanent size. Some flood-waters drain into Lake Ngami, which is visible here at the center of the bottom edge. Lake Ngami is an endorheic lake in Botswana north of the Kalahari Desert. It is seasonally filled by the Taughe River, an affluent of the Okavango River system flowing out of the western side of the Okavango Delta. It is one of the fragmented remnants of the ancient Lake Makgadikgadi. Although the lake has shrunk dramatically beginning from 1890, it remains an important habitat for birds and wildlife, especially in flood years.

Okavango Delta 2017: Best of Okavango Delta, Botswana Tourism - TripAdvisor Things to Do More The world's largest inland delta, Okavango Delta (also known as Okavango Swamp) is formed by the emptying of the Okavango River into the Kalahari Desert at the place where an ancient lake once sat. An immensely wildlife-rich expanse of islands, islets and lagoons (many of which change shape and even disappear with the coming of every annual flood season), Okavango is home to many safari camps, most of which aren't reached by road but rather by small airplane from Maun, the area's main village. Read more Read less Botswana's new gem: eco-friendly tourism - CNN.com Botswana's new gem: eco-friendly tourism By Olivia Yasukawa and Katie Pisa, for CNN Updated 4:53 AM ET, Mon June 13, 2016 Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds. Photos: Botswana has a thriving ecotourism industry, thanks in part to the country's initiative to make it a leader in this field.

Hide Caption 1 of 12 Photos: The Okavango Delta is the world's largest inland delta and is home to an abundance of wildlife. Hide Caption 2 of 12 Photos: A woman on a boat ride in the Okavango Delta viewing various wildlife. Botswana relies heavily on tourism, and ecotourism in Botswana is said to contribule 4-5% towards the country's GDP. Hide Caption 3 of 12 Photos: The number of visitors in Botswana each year is between 2.6 and 2.7 million, greater than the country's population of around 2 million. Hide Caption 4 of 12 Photos: A guide behind the wheel of Chobe Game Lodge's first electric game viewing vehicle, at Chobe National Park in Botswana. Hide Caption 5 of 12 Photos: Chobe Game Lodge says it has made huge strides to reduce its waste footprint by using electric vehicles and recycled water. Hide Caption Mombo Lodge in Botswana prides itself on its eco credentials.

Hide Caption 7 of 12 Photos: The family-run Meno a Kwena lodge lies under a riverine canopy on the Boteti River, one of northern Botswana's so-called "miracle rivers." The lodge has a lounge roof made of a parachute. Hide Caption 8 of 12 Photos: Kingspool Luxury Safari Camp in the Okavanga Delta follows Botswana's trend to keep tourism more environmentally friendly. Hide Caption An elephant reaches for branches outside the Kingspool Luxury Safari Camp. Hide Caption The tranquil waters of the Okavango Delta are enticing to animals and tourists alike. Hide Caption 11 of 12 Photos: A hippo emerges from the water outside a camp located deep in the wetlands, which spring to life in June or July every year. Hide Caption Tourism is Botswana's second contributor to its economy, after diamonds The Okavango Delta in Botswana is one of the largest inland deltas in the world Since 2002, Botswana has made efforts to conserve natural resources and wildlife (CNN) Botswana is one of the most sparsely populated nations in the world, a country the size of France but with just over 2 million people.

Though its population may be scant, the southern African country has no shortage of wildlife. Home to 40% of Africa's entire elephant population, the country sees a larger number of tourists coming each year than its entire population. "The number of visitors we have into Botswana is between 2.6 and 2.7 million, which is more than the population of Botswana," said Tshedidi Khama, Botswana's Minister for Environment, Wildlife and Tourism. In terms of the country's economy, tourism ranks second in Botswana after the diamond industry . An African success story, Botswana has transformed itself from one of the poorest countries in the world to a middle-income country with a per capita GDP of $17,700 in 2015. Though it's still early days, ecotourism in Botswana is said to contribute 4-5% towards the country's GDP. Read More Eco focus "We have made a deliberate decision to grow tourism in this country and become imaginative in the way in which we're doing that," said Khama. In 2002, the country adopted a national ecotourism strategy aimed at conserving Botswana's natural resources and wildlife, explains Khama.

Conservation started in Botswana's Okavango Delta, which is often referred to as the "Jewel of the Kalahari" by locals, one of the largest inland deltas in the world. The Delta springs to life several months each year, when the rains from Angola reach its neck, transforming it into a rich wetland attracting wildlife including zebras, hippos, impalas, lions and leopards. All the concessioners who operate in the Delta are now encouraged to have solar lighting and to recycle water, said Khama. "I believe we are probably the best destination in the world with ecotourism." Luxury with a reduced footprint Chobe Game Lodge on Botswana's northern border is one of the country's luxurious facilities which prides itself on an environmental focus. "We've cut down our waste footprint by about 95%," said Johan Bruwer, general manager of the lodge. One way of doing this is by using solar-powered boats and electrical vehicles for game viewing. "Our goal is to, in the next 18 months to 24 months, to offer our guests a total emission-free, carbon-free game viewing experience," said Bruwer.

Another lodge further south in the Okavanga Delta called Sandibe Okavango is proud of its eco-credentials. All water is treated and recycled onsite and 70% of the lodge's power comes from solar panels. "Most of the operators run on generators still but everyone is changing over to solar power. It allows us to keep power in the lodge 24 hours a day, and also allows us to greatly reduce our footprint in this area," said lodge manager Greg Davies-Coleman. For a small population, the fast-growing economy of Botswana is blessed with wildlife and hopes to capitalize on its mission at being one of the most eco-friendly countries too. Watch the video below to find out more. JUST WATCHED

Question: Located in Botswana, which is the world's largest inland delta?
Answer: Okavango